Young, aspiring and creative entrepreneur, Laura Thompson.

Two of Laura's magnificent work on display.

One of her bridal designs.

Laura poses with some of her invitational card creations.

Laura (centre) with models of her bridal wear line

Meet the charismatic Laura Clarissa Thompson.

Laura is a proud employee of Rawlinson and Hunter Limited but is also an entrepreneur, who currently owns and manages Laurens, a bridal wear store located in Building 44, Lower Main Street and Premium Designs II, which caters for creations of invitation cards and decoration and preparation of reception halls or venues for various functions including weddings.

The April born Laura, who at one stage of her life was on course to becoming a model in the United States, is currently an Office Manager at accounting and trust company Rawlinson and Hunter Limited, which she says prides itself on customer service and efficiency. She said she started with the company in 1990 and left in 1999 before returning four years later.

“My job stems from organising meetings to assisting clients with incorporations/post incorporation requirements to daily operations. I would consider myself an all-rounder because if someone else is not there, I will fill in or ensure that it gets done. I encourage that because we have to understand that we work as a team and so we encourage people to learn as much as they can.”

Laura proudly told VINO that she started working with Rawlinson and Hunter Limited from “the ground up” as she started as a receptionist, but was able to further qualify herself by attending the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College where she studied Human Services, Corporate and Trust Administration and Supervisory Management.

“Don’t ever look at your job as menial, put in the time and effort and it may take a while to work your way up the "corporate ladder" but you will get there,” she advises.

After her formal job hours and on weekends, Laura dedicates her time to her two businesses. Laurens, a bridal store she said, helps her to do what she always had a passion for.  “I like colours, I like fashion, I like designing. It does not stop with dresses but also decorating a room, office, a hall!  Just give me a blank slate and I will drum up a design. That was always part of me, so that was something I grew up with and seeing my grandmother a fashionable woman, my mother, my aunts and all these people around me, it just seemed like second nature - it almost was something I just couldn't leave behind (even if I would have wanted to)!  I just had to do it, it was in my DNA!”

Laurens only opened in April but it is a business that stands out and is currently getting the recognition despite Laura not putting out as much advertisement as yet.

“I always had a dream to become an entrepreneur and knew it had to be in the field of Fashion/Designing, I looked around the BVI, but I didn’t want to just get another clothing store. I wanted something that was needed in the BVI in line with my dreams and being able to put a smile on someone’s face, something I would be passionate about and there Laurens and Premium Designs II was born!  After being at a few weddings, a few weddings too much, it was so much a hassle to go away to help the bride with these dress and all of that and I said you know that’s a good market to get into.”

Premium Designs II, Laura said, is the sister to Laurens since it deals with wedding coordination and the rentals of especially elegant designed items such as chandeliers, charger plates, wine glasses, vases and so much more.

Laura spoke about her most recent job in Virgin Gorda. She had designed the cocktail reception and stage for Jazz on the Hill last month.

Laura admitted that it was a challenge starting up her businesses as finance was scarce but she remained patient and the start-up funds came from her savings to get the business rolling.  In these economic times and as operational costs are up, other challenges are present, therefore she currently opens only on weekends or schedule appointments during the week after regular working hours.

As the demands for her service are increasing, she will soon have to make a decision of employing someone for the store front.

She said God, her family and close friends are very instrumental and supportive and help her to continue when the road gets rough. She said her sister Lenisha Thompson is particularly always at her side and also made mention of her friend Patra Stoutt.

Laura also said her Faith in God played a major part of her decisions and successes and thanks her Pastor, John Cline of New Life Baptist church and other pastors for their encouraging sermons.

The satisfaction of her business, she said, is just to see a smile on a customer’s face. “I have received good reviews about my designs. So it’s making sure that the clients are happy. Once they are happy and pleased, then I am happy. Yes, I get paid for the job but if my client is not going to be happy, then my job is not done.”

The creative Virgin Islander said one of her watchwords is customer service, which she takes with her always and hopes that other persons would place more emphasis on that regardless if they have their own business or work for someone else.

“It is something that has to be embedded in you, you should never feel that if the business is not yours that you shouldn’t put forward your best and I think that is one of the things that I would tell the young people or anyone to strive for. Change is desirable and you are never too young or old to change for the positive!  In business, you have to make sure that you are approachable, you keep a smile and you treat the customer with utmost respect. I think that is something that has to be thought in schools at a young age. We are fortunate that most of the people in the BVI don’t work off of commission, however, it is a way to encourage good customer service.”

Laura also believes that there is a need to have institutions in place to assist locals, who may wish to start up their own business but may be facing financial challenges as she did, but managed to persevere and is still overcoming.

“I am aware that there was an addition to the trade and promotions department that was looking into assisting new businesses through the local bank, however, perhaps eventually they would revamp that.  If they can offer a "start-up loan" which is standard across the board, sign a loan repayment agreement after say 6 months to 1 year with reasonable interest rates then that will be a huge help.  Of course a committee will perform the usual checks and balances and have an attachment where, the business after 3 years makes a mandatory "donation" of say 500 dollars to 1,000 dollars to help someone else,” she suggested.  “This encourages community assistance and helps lessen unemployment issues, basically giving back to the community and as we say helping our brother/sister along the way."

Laura also believes that a Small Business Association is needed where small entities like hers can approach Government for assistance to help local businesses to continue to strive. She said Government could be approached to look into giving some benefits to these companies that are stimulating economic growth, as they would be hiring locals, lessening the un-employment issues, paying taxes and keeping the "monies" in the VI.

Looking into the not so distant future, Laura sees herself offering more services with the involvement of other local designers and being internationally recognized.

“I see a trade school in fashion. I see where we as BVIslanders can design items, not just limited to clothes but anything that will be noted "from the British Virgin Islands".  However, for now, I am heading there and Laurens of the British Virgin Islands and Premium Designs II are here to stay!”